In a shocking move, BeOnd, the luxury airline based in Malé, has canceled all of its flights for the summer. The airline, which launched in 2022 with plans to provide ultra-luxury flights to the Maldives, is halting all services until October 2026 due to ongoing instability in the Middle East, primarily caused by the war in Iran.
The Impact of the Iran Conflict on Airlines
As peace talks over the Iran conflict repeatedly fall through, the ripple effects have been devastating for airlines. The war, which was sparked by a U.S.-Israeli strike in February, has significantly impacted the cost of jet fuel and raised security concerns regarding certain flight routes.
While some local airlines, like Emirates and Etihad, are still running flights into Dubai, major international carriers have grounded their services due to the escalating safety risks in the region. Airlines including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, British Airways, Air Canada, Air France, and KLM have all suspended flights to Dubai and several nearby countries.
BeOnd’s Sudden Summer Shutdown
BeOnd, which had been offering exclusive business-class flights to the Maldives from cities like Dubai, Milan, Zürich, and even planned services from London and Paris by late 2026, had to revise its ambitious plans.
The airline had already canceled long-haul routes that included a stopover in Dubai, but due to declining passenger numbers across the region, BeOnd has now decided to suspend all operations for the summer, reports The Street.
The airline promised to resume flights in October 2026, but given the volatile situation in the Middle East, any plans beyond the summer remain uncertain. The cancellation comes as no surprise, as the airline operates a fleet of just two planes, limiting its ability to offer services to alternative destinations.
Refunds and Rebooking Options for Affected Travelers
For those with summer bookings, BeOnd is offering flexible rebooking options, including fee-free changes to future travel or full refunds. BeOnd assured affected travelers that their guest experience team would be reaching out within 72 hours to arrange the details.
“If you’re booked to travel with us this summer, our guest experience team will be in touch within the next 72 hours with flexible rebooking options including fee-free moves to winter, future travel within 12 months, or a full refund,” the airline wrote.
What’s Next for BeOnd and Its Fleet
BeOnd’s fleet consists of just two planes: an Airbus A319 and an A321. With the current situation in the Middle East continuing to hinder travel plans, the airline’s limited resources make it difficult to explore alternate routes or new destinations.
As the airline remains grounded for the foreseeable future, many travelers are left in limbo as they wait for a resolution to the conflict that may determine when BeOnd can safely return to the skies.
